The thunder of war in Ukraine often dominates the headlines about Russia, but amidst all the chaos, the Russian foreign intelligence service recently made an interesting move. Sergei Naryshkin, the director of the Sluzhba Vneshnei Razvedki (SVR), the Russian equivalent of the CIA, unveiled a statue of Feliks Dzerzhinsky, the founder of the Soviet secret police.
At first glance, this may seem like another sign of President Vladimir Putin’s yearning for the oppressive Soviet regime, where secret policemen thrived by intimidating and tormenting their fellow citizens. However, the resurrection of this controversial figure from Soviet history could be more connected to Russia’s elite politics than to Putin’s nostalgia.
Before delving into modern Kremlinology, it’s essential to explore the early years of the Soviet intelligence services. Dzerzhinsky, a Polish national with a radical past, joined the Russian Bolsheviks and was entrusted by Vladimir Lenin to establish a secret police organization after the 1917 revolution. He became the director of the All-Russia Extraordinary Commission to Combat Counterrevolution and Sabotage, or “Cheka” for short, which later evolved into various Soviet government entities, including the notorious KGB.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the foreign and domestic intelligence services were split into two separate organizations. The foreign spy agency became the SVR, while the domestic service became the Federal Security Service (FSB). Interestingly, the new statue of Dzerzhinsky is not located in its original place in front of the KGB headquarters but rather in Yasenevo, home to the SVR.
The choice of location and the director’s comments during the unveiling ceremony provide some clues about the statue’s purpose. Naryshkin praised Dzerzhinsky’s honesty and dedication, emphasizing that the statue faces towards NATO members neighboring Russia, highlighting perceived foreign threats. This move is akin to the CIA erecting a statue of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover in front of its headquarters, extolling his efforts against the Soviet enemy.
It is worth noting that Naryshkin had faced humiliation from Putin in a public meeting just days before the invasion of Ukraine in 2020. This event may have motivated Naryshkin to elevate the importance of the SVR and overshadow the FSB, which had failed to deliver on its promises during the conflict in Ukraine. By erecting this statue and aligning the SVR with a strong anti-NATO stance, Naryshkin might be trying to position his agency as Russia’s premier intelligence service.
However, the true intentions behind this move remain unclear. It could simply be a symbolic gesture without deeper meaning. Regardless, it is evident that both Naryshkin and Putin are wary of antagonizing their own people by placing the controversial statue in central Moscow. Moreover, they likely want to avoid reminders of a bygone era when the KGB held immense power and Putin was not as despised among the Russian population.
In conclusion, the unveiling of the new Dzerzhinsky statue by the SVR raises questions about Russia’s elite politics and intelligence dynamics. Its location and the director’s comments suggest a possible power play within the Russian government or a message against NATO. However, the true meaning behind this move remains shrouded in mystery.
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